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General Manager Golf Course Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Golf Course Superintendent

Novato, CA · On-site

$185K - $225K/yr

The Superintendent reports directly to the General Manager and is a full member of the club's senior management team - contributing not only a healthy golf course, but a healthy organizational ...

The responsibilities include developing and managing turf grass and plant material maintenance ... Thorough knowledge of general business administration practices and golf course operations ...

The responsibilities include developing and managing turf grass and plant material maintenance ... Thorough knowledge of general business administration practices and golf course operations ...

The responsibilities include developing and managing turf grass and plant material maintenance ... Thorough knowledge of general business administration practices and golf course operations ...

Golf Course Superintendent

Napa, CA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

... Course Superintendent! We are seeking a driven individual who is eager to learn, contribute, and ... As part of Troon, you will contribute to a global leader in golf and community management.

The Superintendent reports directly to the General Manager and is a full member of the club's senior management team -- contributing not only a healthy golf course, but a healthy organizational ...

... Course Superintendent! We are seeking a driven individual who is eager to learn, contribute, and ... As part of Troon, you will contribute to a global leader in golf and community management.

Reporting Structure • Reports to the Equipment Manager Day to Day • Assist with preventive ... the general requirements for this position and is not a comprehensive list of duties ...

Golf Course Mechanic

Chino Hills, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $33/hr

With managed properties throughout Southern California and extending to New Mexico, JC Golf offers ... To further explore the Golf Course Mechanic opportunity, click here to view the in detail. If you ...

Golf Course Mechanic

Chino Hills, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $33/hr

With managed properties throughout Southern California and extending to New Mexico, JC Golf offers ... To further explore the Golf Course Mechanic opportunity, click here to view the in detail. If you ...

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Showing results 1-20

General Manager Golf Course information

See California salary details

$21.2K

$50.6K

$73K

How much do general manager golf course jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for general manager golf course in California is $50,643.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,900.00 and $59,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges a General Manager faces in running a golf course, and how can they be addressed?

A General Manager at a golf course often encounters challenges such as balancing the expectations of members and guests, maintaining course quality within budget constraints, and adapting to seasonal fluctuations in business. Effective communication with staff and members, proactive financial planning, and implementing efficient maintenance schedules are key strategies to address these issues. Additionally, staying current with industry trends and leveraging technology for operations and marketing can help ensure the course remains competitive and profitable.

What does a General Manager at a golf course do?

A General Manager at a golf course oversees the entire operation, including managing staff, budgets, and customer service. They are responsible for ensuring the course is maintained to a high standard, organizing tournaments and events, and maximizing profitability. The General Manager also handles marketing, membership sales, and often serves as the main point of contact for members and guests. Their role is vital in creating a welcoming environment and ensuring the overall success of the golf course.

What is the difference between General Manager Golf Course vs Golf Operations Manager?

AspectGeneral Manager Golf CourseGolf Operations Manager
Primary FocusOverall management of the golf course including staff, finances, and guest experienceOverseeing daily golf operations, tee times, and customer service
CredentialsExperience in hospitality, management, or golf industry; certifications varyGolf industry knowledge; certifications like PGA or CPGA often preferred
Work EnvironmentGolf course, club facilities, management officesGolf course, pro shop, customer service areas
Employer & Industry UsageCountry clubs, golf resorts, private clubsGolf courses, clubs, resorts

The General Manager Golf Course oversees the entire operation, including staff, finances, and guest experience, while the Golf Operations Manager focuses more on daily golf activities and customer service. Both roles require industry knowledge, but the General Manager has broader responsibilities for overall management.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a General Manager at a golf course, and why are they important?

To thrive as a General Manager at a golf course, you need expertise in business administration, financial management, and golf operations, typically supported by a degree in business, hospitality, or a related field. Familiarity with golf course management software, POS systems, and budgeting tools is also important, and certifications from organizations like the PGA or CMAA can be advantageous. Outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities set successful candidates apart in managing staff, members, and daily operations. These skills ensure smooth facility operations, optimal customer experiences, and sustained financial performance for the golf course.
What are popular job titles related to General Manager Golf Course jobs in California? For General Manager Golf Course jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching General Manager Golf Course jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for General Manager Golf Course jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for General Manager Golf Course jobs? Cities in California with the most General Manager Golf Course job openings:
Infographic showing various General Manager Golf Course job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,643 per year, or $24.3 per hour.
Golf Course Superintendent

Golf Course Superintendent

Troon Golf

Novato, CA • On-site

$185K - $225K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Troon rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 28 rated golf clubs


Job description

Marin Country Club, located in Novato, CA, is pleased to announce an excellent career opportunity for a Golf Course Superintendent! We are seeking a driven individual who is eager to learn, contribute, and grow within a fast-paced hospitality-focused property organization. As part of Troon, you'll contribute to a global leader in golf and community management.
Salary Range: $185,000 to $225,000
ABOUT MARIN COUNTRY CLUB
Marin Country Club is a distinguished private club in Novato, California - a place where golf, community, natural beauty, and an active North Bay lifestyle come together in a setting that feels both refined and genuinely welcoming. Set against the rolling hills and open views of Ignacio Valley, the club has long served as a gathering place for members who value quality, connection, and the everyday rhythm of club life.
The centerpiece is a classic 18-hole golf course that rewards thoughtful shot-making, consistent conditioning, and a playing experience shaped by Northern California's climate, topography, and seasonality. The course is central to the member experience, and its daily presentation carries an outsized influence on member pride, guest impressions, and the overall reputation of the club.
The club's broader amenity offerings include dining, racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, social programming, and family-oriented member experiences - all supported by a service culture where excellence is expected, details matter, and every department contributes to the total club experience.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Marin Country Club is seeking a Superintendent who takes personal ownership of the daily condition, presentation, and playability of the golf course - a leader for whom firm, healthy playing surfaces, true and consistent greens, and a course that presents beautifully day after day are not aspirational benchmarks, but personal standards.
This is not an entry-level stewardship role. It is an invitation to be the agronomic voice of one of Marin County's established private club properties - to own the condition of a course that is central to the member experience, and to build and lead the team that makes that standard possible every day.
The agronomic footprint here is genuinely complex. Cool-season and transition-zone turf management, water stewardship, drainage, tree and shade influence, seasonal weather patterns, labor planning, and the operational realities of a high-use private club course are not ordinary challenges. They demand a practitioner who reads a course the way a physician reads a patient: with expertise, attentiveness, and the instinct to act before a problem announces itself.
Marin Country Club's membership brings a discerning eye and high expectations. They may not always articulate what they notice, but they will always notice. The Director of Agronomy is the person who ensures what they notice is care, consistency, and excellence.
Beyond the course itself, this leader will serve as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees - helping translate agronomic strategy, capital needs, seasonal realities, and course standards into clear, confident dialogue. It is a seat at the table that demands both technical command and the ability to communicate with clarity, credibility, and calm.
The Superintendent reports directly to the General Manager and is a full member of the club's senior management team - contributing not only a healthy golf course, but a healthy organizational culture. Troon Privé's agronomy infrastructure, including the expertise of Brian Hampson the Senior VP of Agronomy and Dan Catterson Regional Director of Agronomy, are available as a consultative resource that strengthens independent decision-making rather than constraining it.
The candidate who thrives here will be energized by a culture of training, driven by pride in their craft, and fulfilled by developing a team that grows agronomically, professionally, and personally under their leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Course Conditions & Agronomic Excellence
  • Own the agronomic program from soil to surface - developing and executing sound practices that deliver consistent, high-quality playing conditions year-round
  • Stay current on agronomic research, emerging turf technologies, and Northern California-specific disease, pest, water, and soil management practices
  • Ensure proper calibration, mixing, storage, documentation, and application of all chemical and fertilizer inputs in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
  • Maintain California pesticide applicator compliance and applicable golf course BMP standards across the team
  • Proactively address environmental concerns - including water use, drainage, runoff, tree impact, and chemical containment - as a steward of the property and surrounding community

Team Leadership & Culture
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a full maintenance team including Assistant Superintendent, Equipment Manager, Irrigation Technician, Foreman, and Greenskeeping staff
  • Embrace and foster five to department culture built on accountability, hospitality, safety, and craft - where team members grow into the next generation of agronomic leaders
  • Conduct effective onboarding and ongoing training programs; manage performance with directness and fairness
  • Foster communication that flows freely up, down, and across departments - particularly with Golf Operations, Club Management, and member-facing teams

Governance & Strategic Leadership
  • Serve as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees - translating agronomic strategy into clear, confident dialogue
  • Contribute to long-term capital planning, major renovation scoping, irrigation planning, equipment replacement, and environmental stewardship programs
  • Provide timely agronomic reporting to the General Manager and, where applicable, to Troon Privé's agronomy team
  • Participate as a full member of the senior management team, contributing to club culture and organizational health beyond the turf

Financial Oversight
  • Develop and manage the agronomy department budget, capital expenditure plans, labor planning, and expense controls
  • Make fiscally disciplined decisions that reflect both the property's standards and its long-term financial health

QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience considered
  • Minimum of five to 10 years of progressive agronomic leadership experience, ideally at a high-caliber private club or resort property
  • Proven track record of delivering and sustaining high-quality playing conditions at a discerning membership club
  • Experience managing a full maintenance team, complex operating practices, and a meaningful agronomic budget

Required Licenses & Certifications
  • California Qualified Applicator License or ability to obtain within an agreed-upon timeframe
  • Applicable Golf Course BMP, safety, and environmental stewardship training preferred
  • Valid Driver's License

The Ideal Candidate
  • Reads a course with the instinct of a seasoned agronomist who anticipates issues early, acts with discipline, and builds systems that sustain consistent playing conditions.
  • Leads from the front: present on the course, respected for teaching as much as directing
  • Communicates with equal fluency to a committee chair, a General Manager, a member, and an assistant superintendent
  • Finds the hospitality dimension of the role - member interaction, course presentation, and daily pride of product - as energizing as the agronomic one
  • Thrives in a Northern California private club environment and approaches its challenges as a competitive advantage, not a complication

HOW TO APPLY
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and current résumé in confidence to:
Brian Hampson
Senior Vice President, Science and Agronomy
BHampson@troon.com
All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Marin Country Club is an equal opportunity employer.
About Troon
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, Troon is the world's largest professional club management company, that specializes in services in golf, hospitality, and residential communities. With more than 900 locations in 45+ states and 27+ countries, Troon is a leading employer in hospitality. Guided by values that emphasize being infectiously energetic, consciously kind, and humbly prosperous, Troon offers professionals the opportunity to grow and succeed within a globally respected organization. Learn more at www.troon.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About Troon Golf

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Troon started as one facility in 1990 and has since grown to become the world's largest professional club management company. We offer careers around the world at all levels of golf operations, opportunities for professional development, growth opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package. Our goal is to create extraordinary guest and member experiences through personalized service, consistency, and uncompromising attention to detail. For more information about the Troon Experience, please visit

Industry

Fitness and sports centers, hospitality services and traveler accommodation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Scottsdale, AZ, US